Pendragon’s Royal Academy opened its main gates again.

    Mount Vulcan heat was still hot and sweltering, but soon it would disappear as if it was an illusion. After all, the time when the fairies of winter and ice would visit wasn’t far off. By then, the heat would be neutralized, and the green leaves would turn red.

    The second semester.

    It was the beginning of the second semester at the Academy.

    Whoosh-!

    “Mother, this is the central fountain, the landmark of the Royal Academy. Isn’t it huge?”

    “I-It’s amazing. But, is it really okay for me to come into a place like this?”

    “Brother, there are so many gorgeous people…!”

    “Big Brother!!”

    “…Can you speak in turn, please?”

    Barry Cobbs.

    Also known as Bear Number 11. His family was overwhelmed by the grandeur and splendor of the Academy, but he could understand why they felt that way.

    Because I was like that too at first.

    Only he knew how much his heart trembled and how his legs turned into noodles the first time he set his foot in the Academy.

    To the past Barry Cobbs—who had only ever lived in the countryside—the Academy, or rather the entire royal capital, seemed like a different world. Hence why he could sympathize with his mother, who had only lived on her farm her entire life, with his younger sister, who had to grow up early because she had to help the family make a living by sewing, and with his younger brother who had only just begun to speak.

    He knew that they would probably be intimidated by the sight and felt like they were walking on eggshells, but he wanted to show his family this place. After all, this was the place where he learned for the past few months.

    I wanted to show it to Father, too.

    His father had decided to stay at home since they still needed someone to take care of his babbling twin brothers at home.

    According to his father, he had been to the royal capital when he was young, so he was fine with not coming, but Barry Cobbs knew. The reason why he didn’t come was so that his wife and his children—brimming with expectations for their visit to the capital—could come in his stead without worry.

    Next time, I’ll bring him here! I’ll do my best so that I can advance to my second year!

    On every first day after the summer break, the Academy let the cadets’ families enter its ground. Apparently it was so that the Academy could show the parents that they had been taking good care of their children, as well as allowing them to take a look at what exactly it was that their children were learning.

    Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad I could bring them.

    His family still couldn’t take their eyes off the magnificent sight, while Barry Cobbs couldn’t hide his delight.

    At that moment…

    “Barry, where is your swordsmanship instructor?”

    “Huh!? W-Why so suddenly?”

    Barry Cobbs was taken aback by his mother’s sudden question.

    However, Mrs. Cobbs said to her son.

    “So suddenly? Not only did he take care of you, but he also basically raised you. I heard that you were able to stay in the Academy because he taught you so well. Even the most ignorant people know the worth of teaching and how great an opportunity it is to be taught. He can not only be considered your benefactor, but also our Cobbs Family’s.”

    “W-Well, t-that…”

    “I’ve been wanting to visit him in person and greet him, so this is the perfect occasion. Let’s go and meet him.”

    “U-Uh…”

    Barry Cobbs started to sweat, but his mother’s stubbornness left him with no choice but to take her to the Swordsmanship Department. He knew better than anyone that once his mother had decided on something like this, there was nothing he could do to dissuade her.

    I…might be screwed…

    Barry Cobbs was extremely reluctant to see his mother and the instructor meet.

    Of course, he respected the instructor. His respect to the instructor was only below his respect to his father, maybe even equal. Not only was he strong, he always kept his words, and also he willingly taught the ordinary cadets, including him, skills that were comparable to Combat Technique.

    And, as far as Barry Cobbs knew, he was someone who was the closest to an ideal knight.

    However…

    Respecting him is one thing, introducing him to other people is another thing…!

    Just thinking about him already made his body tremble and his stomach tingle. That was how intense his presence and the sense of intimidation he exuded was. Even if they weren’t warriors, anyone who laid their eyes upon him would have this anxiety that he was going to attack them at any moment whenever they faced him.

    That’s how fierce the instructor’s impression was.

    I hope Mother’s heart is strong.

    And that was also why Barry Cobbs felt anxious.

    “Brother? Why are you sweating so much?”

    “Big Brother!!”

    “O-Oh, it’s nothing…!”

    As he tried to swallow his anxiety, Barry Cobbs could see familiar faces approaching the Swordsmanship Department.

    “Mother, do we really have to go?”

    “Dad, I told you it’s really okay!”

    “G-Grandma? Do we really have to go?”

    They were his classmates, who were also heading to the Swordsmanship Department with their families. For some reason, the young masters, the chicks, and the bears were all gathered on the first day of school.

    Their eyes met for a moment, and in that instant, sympathetic feelings that crossed the barrier of social status resonated in their hearts.

    Indeed. Regardless of their statuses, parents all thought similarly.

    And soon after.

    Rumble-! Rumble-!

    They arrived at the Swordsmanship Department’s training grounds. Ominous thumping sounds were echoing from there.

    Then, the thing that entered their eyes were…

    “Wow, Big Brother! That thing is bigger than an ox!”

    “Y-Yeah…”

    His younger brother, who was still so innocent, simply said the thing that he saw. Meanwhile, the other cadets and their families simply let their mouths agape at the absurd sight.

    There was the instructor, carrying hundreds of sandbags that were as big as an ox—no, they were bigger than ox, all by himself.

    Without breaking a sweat, no less.

    “Huh? Why are you guys here?”

    He asked calmly.

    But, rather than replying to his question, all the cadets there asked him a question inwardly.

    …Why do you look even more inhuman every time I see you?

    **** * ****

    “Sorry for letting you see this unsightly part of me, I’ve been working since early in the morning. You are the mother of Bear Number 11—no, I mean, Barry Cobbs, right?”

    “Y-Yes…”

    “Welcome. It’s my pleasure to finally meet the wonderful mother who’s raised such a wonderful son.”

    “…Oh my.”

    “Mom?”

    Surprisingly, the instructor was good at dealing with parents.

    “He could adjust to his classes well, so there’s no need to worry.”

    Contrary to his appearance, he was kind and didn’t hesitate to reassure the parents.

    Aside from the shocking impression on the first meeting, the rest of the conversation wasn’t a problem.

    However…

    “W-Will our child be able to become a knight?”

    “I almost fainted. My child suddenly started jumping rope or something. She worked so hard that her hands were shaking…! Why did you make my child do something like that? What if my child develops unsightly muscles because of that?”

    “Ahem, I heard you’re a member of the Silver Lion? How did you end up falling to this level?”

    Some of the parents were surprisingly aggressive. Seeing their parents’ behavior, the cadets’ faces instantly turned pale.

    And as they expected…

    “He’s going to be a great knight. He’ll definitely have plenty of fun after he graduates, so trust him, Madam.”

    “Please don’t worry about that. Muscles aren’t something you can build just by jumping rope. If anything, you should worry about your own body. I can tell just by looking at you that your body isn’t okay. Your back hurts and you get tired quickly these days, right? That happens because of lack of exercise! Instead of worrying about your child, you should worry about your own body first!”

    “What? Are you picking a fight with me right now-?”

    The instructor didn’t hold back. He’d treat polite people kindly, but he didn’t hold back when facing ignorant people. Because of that, some parents almost got into trouble with him.

    “C-Calm down, Instructor! I’ll apologize on my parent’s behalf!”

    “Father, apologize quickly! If you don’t, our entire family might just fall apart—!”

    “I-I’m sorry…!”

    Fortunately, the cadets always managed to douse the situation before it got too volatile.

    Their instructor was someone whose temper would change drastically if he got angry; a complete 180 compared to when he was acting kindly.

    Facing that temper, a nobleman who provoked him felt a chill down his spine, and even lost strength in his legs.

    He’s still the same.

    However, seeing the instructor like that made the cadets feel relieved. Seeing him acting the same as always made them feel that school had finally started again.

    But…

    “By the way, Instructor, what are those sandbags?”

    “Ah, these? These are training aids for you guys.”

    “Huh?”

    “I’m thinking of making you guys climb a cliff with these. Well, each of them only weighs 30 kg, so don’t worry.”

    “…”

    “There are also 50 kg and 100 kg ones. I’ll gradually increase it as you guys get used to it.”

    “There’s no way we can just not worry about that…”

    …On the other hand, the fact that he was acting the same as always made the cadets’ heads ache.

    It seemed like they couldn’t expect this semester to be an ordinary one.

    **** * ****

    After the opening ceremony ended, the parents left and the cadets of the Swordsmanship Department gathered. A total of 80 cadets. A number that proved that none of the first-year cadets had been expelled or dropped out.

    Looking at other departments, there were many who failed their exams and were expelled, or voluntarily dropped out because they realized that they weren’t skilled enough. But it wasn’t the case at all in the Swordsmanship Department.

    This was possible because every single one of them got excellent grades on their exams and were confident that they would be able to remain in the Academy.

    Just looking at the fact that there were no drop-outs even among the commoners, it meant that the first-year cadets of the Swordsmanship Department this year were excellent.

    But the cadets themselves would say this:

    It isn’t because of our own achievements or anything.

    The only reason we’re able to survive is…

    Because of that person’s skills.

    “Why are you guys here? Isn’t there a week break period for your courses registration? No need to show up during that time, classes won’t start until after that period is over anyway.”

    However, at the moment, the instructor who had made all 80 cadets survive was harshly criticizing them.

    “It just happened…”

    “We came here to say hello, but it seems like everyone gathered here by chance, hahaha…”

    Some cadets threw those witty responses to him.

    Meanwhile, the instructor who had forced all 80 cadets to survive…

    “Why are you guys so needlessly sincere…?”

    Only clicked his tongue, feeling that the situation was absurd.

    Judging by the fact that they seemed happy after hearing his words, it was evident that they had gotten used to him to some extent.

    “Whatever. Since you guys are already here, why don’t you do some sparring before you go back? Of course, if you want to fight me, I’ll welcome it.”

    “I refuse.”

    “…”

    They really just came to say hello, they didn’t want to fight the dangerous guy.

    After all, people should fight people, not monsters.

    Also, they planned to return to their respective dorms after greeting him.

    “Master, I’ve finished the transfer of those people as you instructed.”

    “Yes, good job. But, Female Bear…”

    “Hm?”

    “People? No, no, that isn’t it.”

    “U-Um? But, aren’t they…?”

    “No. People? Haven’t I told you? Those guys aren’t people.”

    “…”

    …At that moment, the cadets doubted their own eyes.

    Watching nine people dragging iron balls with chains on their ankles—not to mention their leashes—made the cadets question their reality.

    At a glance, they looked like slaves, but…

    “Oh, don’t misunderstand. Those aren’t slaves. I brought them from outside. You can call them ‘Assistant Interns’.”

    “…”

    “Isn’t that right, Intern Number 1?”

    “…”

    “Where’s my answer?”

    “That’s right-!!”

    “Why did your answer come so late?”

    “I will correct myself!”

    “Haa… Don’t act like a smartass in front of the kids.”

    “Understood!”

    “Tsk, just when will you convicts become proper humans, hm? …Assistant!”

    “Yes, Instructor!”

    “You’re their senior, so take care of them well. Handle them appropriately, and don’t oppress them. Do you understand?”

    “Just leave it to me! I’ll make sure their total sleep time for the week doesn’t exceed 1 hour!!”

    “Heh, so you know what’s up.”

    “Hehe, thank you.”

    …None of their brains could keep up with this sight.

    However, one thing was clear.

    Damien… That bastard looks really happy.

    The punk’s face looked so happy that he almost cried.

    “Stand up straight! Didn’t you hear what the instructor said?! Don’t even think about sleeping from today onwards! Keep in mind that your evaluation scores depend on me! You intern bastards!”

    Damien, the assistant who was at the bottom of the Swordsmanship Department, was simply overjoyed by the fact that there were people who were lower than him.

    …Though, it was rather ironic, considering that these guys were heretic inquisitors, so Lee Han couldn’t help but wonder if Damien could handle the aftermath.

    But, unbeknownst to Lee Han…

    Fuck, I don’t care! I live in the present!

    The assistant was passing all the complicated matters into his future self.


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